Notable Brothers of Theta Zeta
Since 1876, the Theta Zeta Chapter of Delta Kappa Epsilon has initiated leaders who left their mark on sport, business, public service, and the arts. Below is a selection of distinguished brothers whose lives reflect the DKE ideal of the Gentleman, the Scholar, and the Jolly Good Fellow.
Charles L. Tilden Jr.
Captain of the U.S. Rugby team that won Gold at the 1920 Summer Olympics — one of Berkeley's first Olympic gold medalists. Helped Theta Zeta acquire its first permanent chapter house and later returned as a reserve on the gold-medal 1924 Olympic team.
George Fish
Won Olympic Gold alongside Brother Tilden on the 1920 U.S. Rugby team. Went on to become a distinguished urologist. The television character Dr. Kildare — created by writer Frederick Schiller Faust — was modeled directly on Brother Fish's life.
Nion Tucker
Won Olympic gold in bobsled at the 1928 St. Moritz Winter Games — the only Winter Olympic gold medalist in UC Berkeley history. Career San Francisco financier who helped engineer the merger that created United Airlines and served on the board of The San Francisco Chronicle.
Robert Kiesell
Ran the opening leg for the U.S. 4×100 meter relay team that took Gold at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics in a world-record time of 40.0 seconds.
Sebastian Bea
Won Olympic silver in Coxless Pairs rowing at the 2000 Sydney Games and previously captured a 1997 World Championship. After Berkeley, joined Credit Suisse and now heads Investment Strategy for Scientific Active Equity at BlackRock in North America.
Donald Fisher
Founded The Gap, building one of the most recognizable apparel brands in American retail. A major philanthropic force in public education — funded KIPP Charter Schools, Teach for America, EdVoice, and GreatSchools.net. Named UC Berkeley's Alumnus of the Year in 2007.
C. Rede Petersmeyer
Partner at J.H. Whitney & Co. who championed early investment in television. Founded and chaired Corinthian Broadcasting Corporation — TV and radio stations across Tulsa, Houston, Sacramento, Indianapolis, and Fort Wayne — later merged with Dun & Bradstreet. Trustee of Sarah Lawrence College and the Committee for Economic Development.
Harold Janss
Janss Investment Company sold the 375 acres in 1925 that became the campus of UCLA, then developed surrounding Westwood Village — including the iconic Janss Dome. The Janss Steps at UCLA bear the family name. Also developed Van Nuys, Boyle Heights, Monterey Park, and Yorba Linda.
Martin Kellogg
Phi-Yale DKE who became the seventh President of UC Berkeley (1893–1899) and was a founding sponsor of Theta Zeta. Also served as President of the Berkeley Board of Education; the Kellogg School on Oxford Street is named in his honor.
Harry Hamlin
Star of NBC's L.A. Law, the 1981 fantasy epic Clash of the Titans, and a long career on screen. Named People Magazine's first ever "Sexiest Man Alive" in 1987. His 2010 memoir Full Frontal Nudity: The Making of an Accidental Actor features stories from his time at Theta Zeta.
Prince Friso of Orange-Nassau
Second son of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and the late Prince Claus. Studied mechanical engineering at Berkeley before completing an aeronautical engineering degree at TU Delft. Co-founded the MRI Centre in Amsterdam, was a founding shareholder of WizzAir, and served as CFO of uranium enrichment company URENCO. Passed away in 2013 from injuries sustained in a 2012 avalanche.
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